Vanuatu legalizes medical marijuana

The Republic of Vanuatu, a 277,000-person South Pacific nation, has legalized medical cannabis.

According to a series of official documents procured by Benzinga, the country will now allow the cultivation, production and use of medical marijuana.

The plant was previously allowed to be grown for research purposes only, as the country, battling with a diabetes epidemic, sought an answer in the good old herb.

"I confirm that the council of ministers on Sept. 20 passed a policy paper to change the laws of Vanuatu to permit the cultivation and use of cannabis for medicinal and research purposes in Vanuatu by licensed parties," Vus Warorcet Nohe Ronald Warsal, the country's acting deputy prime minister and minister for trade, tourism, commerce and Ni-Vanuatu business, said in a letter.

The related legislation is expected to be presented in the country's parliament later this year, and licenses are expected to be granted before the end of December, according to the document.